Why? Do the people who don't read the books live in a social vacuum?
[In reply to]

Can't Post

Are all the people who have read the books going to suddenly disappear and/or clam up?

The clear answer is no. Nothing is going to happen to the legendarium. More people will read the books because of the movies. Tolkien's writings are carried faithfully into the next generations. This is a good thing.

I'm curious as to where you're getting this hundreds of thousands figure from. King Arthur: You know much that is hidden oh Tim.